Counterfeit paper money detector



Nov. 3, 1936- F. E. BACKER ET AL. l 2,059,197

COUNTERFEIT PAPER MONEY DETECTOR Filed May 1'7, 1935 wflru W1@ w Lf VL@ gw #VII INV ENTOR5 4, M m( ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED sTATEs 2,059,197 coUN'rERFErT PAPER MONEY DETECTOR Franklyn E. Backer and John Moles, Fort Lee, N. J., assignors to Ralphl P. Rockwood and Chester F. Backer Application May 17, 1935, Serial N0. 21,955

. 1 Claim.

This invention relates vto a counterfeit paper money detector.

Many counterfeit bills defy detection by the naked eye. The bills can generally be distin- 5l guished from the genuine by examination of the kind and quality of paper and of the details ,of the printing or engraving. The Government engraved bills are engraved by a special engraving process that makes them almost impossible of exact duplication and a special paper is used having silk threads therein. The number of threads increase with the value of the bill. This latter feature is to prevent the use 'of washed bills in counterfeit.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a means for the detection of counterfeit money.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable device whereby the bill may be examined as to details of engraving and 'as to the quality and type of paper.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a device embodyingv the principles of our invention. Figure 2 is a top plan View of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view along the line 3, 3, of Figure vI looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure `4. is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit. In carrying out our invention, we propose to provide a housing I divided into two chambers 2 and 3 with an opening 4 for the insertion of bills between the two chambers. In the top of chamber 2, we provide a lens 5 for the magnification and examination of the counterfeit bill.

Within chamber 2 is an additional lens 6 sup,- ported by rod I which latter in turn passes through a hole through'ball 8. Ball 8 is adapted to rotate in socket 9 in the horizontal plane and 40 rod 'I may be moved forward or back with respect to ball 8. Ball 8 is prevented from movement in the vertical plane by a slot or groove in the exterior corresponding to lugs in socket 9 or by a horizontal slot in the side wall of housing I. Lens 6 is therefore set at the proper distance from lens 5 so that correct magnification with respect to the bill in slot 4 is obtained. Lens 5 is adaptable, therefore, for movement to examine in detail with high magnification any portion of the bill and may be withdrawn so as not to interfere when the bill is being examined through lens 5 alone. Chamber 2 is lighted by electric lamp I0 which has a shield I I to prevent the direct rays passing through lens 5 into the eyes of the user. The base of slot I upon which chamber 2.

ard I8 carries lamp socket I9 for lamp Ill.

Standard I8 is secured in any well known manner to the top of chamber 3. The loosening ofthrough bolts Il permits the lifting of chamber 2 from the top of chamber 3 for the renewal of 15 lamp I0. Socket 20 for lamp I3 is secured to angle 2l which in turn is fastened to'the top of chamber 3. A three pole switch 22 is'located on one side of' housing I adjacent the front. The wiring .is as follows: 20

One lead in wire 23 leads to one pole of switch 22. From another pole wire 24 leads to lamp Ill and from the third pole of the switch is wire 25 leading to lamp I3. The completion of the circuit is made by wire 25 which leads from the 25 current supply to lamps I0 and I3. The wires are only supported by the portion of the housing comprising chamber 3 thereby permitting the removal of the top portion of housing I comprising chamber 2 when the through bolts Il are un- 30 screwed. The front wall of chamber 3 extends beyond the front wall of chamber 2 to permit of an easier insertion of the bill to be examined as it forms a protruding shelf.

The operation of the device is as follows: 35

Plug 2l is connected to a source of electric supply. Switch 22 is then thrown illuminating The bill is inserted in slot 4 and examined through lens 5. The details of the bill are then more carefully examined by means. of movable lens 5 which in connection with lens 5 gives a magnification of mlscroscopic magnitude. Lens 5 is then withdrawn from the line of vision and switch 22 is thrown to the other pole lighting lamp I3 and shutting off lamp I0. 45 The bill can then be examined with respect to the quality and type of paper and the number of silk threads, Whether genuine or marked and whether the bill has been washed.

Although thisl device is designed for the detec- 50 tion of counterfeit money. we do not desire to be limited in its use as it vmay be used in connection with the examination of textiles, paper, documentsand materials wherein magnification, reflected and transmitted light are desirable. 55

Various modications in detail may be made and stilifall within the scope of our invention.

What We claim. is:

An examining device comprising a housing oi.' a. truncated pyramid formed in two sections. cach section having a chamber therein, an aperture for the insertion of articles to be examined between the two sections, a ground glass roof for the bottom section, said ground' glass roof form- 10 ing the support for the article under examination,

a lamp below said ground glass, a standard ilxedly secured to the lower chamber and extending into said upper chamber, a lamp above said ground glass in the upper chamber supported by said standard, said upper chamber being removably mounted upon said lower chamber, and a lens in the top of said vupper chamber.

FRANKLYN E. HACKER. JOHN MOLES. 

